Crown Royal Cask No. 16 (40% alc./vol.)

From great passion comes great achievement. The conviction that “good enough” is simply not good enough has given rise to great artists, musicians, scientists, and (grudgingly, he says) great politicians too. Occasionally these larger-than-life figures remember humble beginnings, but that is a rare occurrence. When it happens, people take note.

It was Sam Bronfman’s bluster and not his humility that people noticed when he was alive. Some forty years after his death, it’s his legendary temper that people seem to remember best. And remember they do, for in the world of whisky he was a veritable giant. Foremost among his contributions was how he raised the craft of blending whisky to an art. His successors follow faithfully in his footsteps with their own commitment to the art of blending.

Bronfman’s vulgar outbursts and tempestuous nature also linger on, but in infamy, causing certain hearts to tremble, even now, in Crown Royal’s blending lab. That’s as good an explanation as any as to what drives these folks to keep reaching for perfection. It might just be that Bronfman’s own driven but undeniable talent simply set a good – and lasting – example. Whatever the case, his artistic hand is clear in this most robust of Crown Royals.

Diageo master blender, Andrew MacKay, blends Cask No. 16. He led the team at Crown Royal that developed this rich fruity whisky. And MacKay’s whisky pedigree, in just a few short steps, can be traced directly back to Sam Bronfman. MacKay learned to blend whisky working with Crown Royal master blender, Mike Connors. Connors, in turn, developed his own blending skills under the tutelage of Uve von Harpe. Von Harpe was Art Dawe’s protégé at Crown Royal, and Dawe, it is said, apprenticed at the knee of Bronfman himself. Bronfman-Dawe-von Harpe-Connors-MacKay: no six degrees of whisky separation here.

Each year in February a new batch of Cognac casks is pulled out of Diageo’s barrel storeage shed at Gimli, Manitoba, and unwrapped in preparation to receive whisky. In 2013, sadly, this was done for the final time. The empty casks (shown in the picture) have been carefully wrapped in plastic since their arrival from France, to prevent them from drying out. These casks are made from a European species of oak known as Quercus robur. Although the geographic range of Quercus robur covers most of Europe and the British Isles, the wood for these particular barrels comes from a forest in Limousin, France. Casks from this region can be identified by the number ‘16’ stamped on each barrel head. European oak is spicier than American white oak and it’s a lot less tannic. And because they have held Cognac, these barrels are also very, very fruity.

For more than a decade, it has been very common for Scotch producers to use wine barrels to add subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) flavour to mature whisky, but this is not a common practice in Canada. In fact, Cask 16 is the first ‘finished’ whisky in the Crown Royal range. After having been matured and blended, the whisky is re-barreled into these Cognac casks for a period of marrying and finishing. In the magic hands of Bronfman’s successors, this has created the fruitiest Crown Royal ever. And while overt Cognac notes are nowhere to be found, juicy ripe peaches abound.

2013 is the last year that Cask 16 will be produced, and only enough will be made to fill Canadian orders. Travellers to Canada this year may want to pick up a bottle when they see it. Once this batch is gone there will be no more, and that is a loss for whisky drinkers everywhere.

Nose: The rich effusions of a crowded autumn fruit market with its hodge-podge medley of fresh-picked over-ripe peaches, fragrant dried apricots, bursting-ripe muscadine grapes, myriad oranges, and sticky black fruit that meld with canned mandarins into an exotic fruit cocktail. Winey notes of Concord grape juice, cream sherry, and sweet red wine enrich the fruitiness with slight traces of spirit. Molasses with smidgens of French cream candy, icing sugar, and Kool-Aid predict sweetness on the tongue. Faint floral bouquets, dry herbs, fresh-turned clay earth, and the familiar scent of Christmas cake, along with hot pine sawdust remind us that this is not an over-fortified Port: It is without any doubt, Canadian whisky. This big meaty nose with its worn-leather overtones and dark licorice swizzle is to Canadian whisky what fruit-forward California Merlot is to Burgundy.

Palate: Sweet, rich and creamy with a luscious, filling mouthfeel. The balance leans strongly towards fruit and wine with a complexity that synthesizes peaches, peach syrup, figs, sweet-sharp dried fruits, black fruits, limes, musty grape juice, peach liqueur, cream sherry, hints of red wine, and flashes of Cognac and Port. Wow! That’s a lot of fruit! But it’s held tentatively in check by pleasing bitter notes that include grape skins, peach pits and just a hint of lime pith.

The welcome piquancy of hot pepper builds slowly and lingers long. Distinct rye spiciness, reminiscent of spicy ginger ale, adds a tingling bubbly feel to the heat. The rye tones persist with Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, and hints of earthy rye grain, but honestly, unless you look for it, rye is not all that obvious when you taste this whisky. Rather, the fruity flavours remain at the fore, enhanced by the sweetness of fudge, brown sugar, and vanilla, tempered only slightly by bitter lemon and a cleansing zestiness. Floral perfume wafts in and out, as do hints of licorice, and a sweet spiciness reminiscent of clove oil. Sipped slowly, this is a whisky that continues to evolve in the glass and in the mouth.

Finish: Medium-long and fading. Hot pepper and spices with just murmurs of sweet baking spices take over in the finish, along with lots of bitter lemon soda, lemon pith, and cleansing citric zest. Still, the fruitiness persists right until the end with dried black fruit and figs. And once the sweetest fruit has begun to subside, hints of fresh oak peek through.

Empty Glass: Sweet and fragrant with prune juice, red wine, peaches and apricots, toffee, lots of caramel, and lots of fresh-cut wood, then sweet aromas of balsam, lilacs, and floral perfume. And way in the background, the vaguest hints of stale beer, sour fruit, musty fruit, and French’s mustard.

I have been a neat whiskey drinker for 25 years and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the great taste and smooth finish. I have tried many whiskeys but this is the best I have tasted so far also the most expensive. I feel the price wasn’t out of line and would recommend it.

This has been discontinued, unfortunately. You can still find it at a few places online if you are lucky enough to live in a state they will ship to. Texas is not one of those states. I found some 375ml bottles in South Carolina six weeks ago and some in Sequin, Texas two weeks ago. Good luck. I have six 750ml bottles in reserve and will be drinking it very sparingly.

A sad day for Crown, especially in light of the abomination that is Maple

If you still have any Cask 16 left I am interested in it. I live in the state of AZ and I do believe it can be shipped here. Please email me and let me know ASAP. My husband has been looking for this and it would e a great birthday present. Thanks, Kristina

Hi Kristina. I am a whisky writer and I do not make or sell whisky of any kind, so sorry, I am unable to help you. As well, in Canada we are not allowed to ship or mail whisky so I think you might want to try an on-line store in the US. Good luck.
Davin

They dropped the price to $75 here in BC. So I’ve been able to fool my conscience, which really was having a hard time with the self-indulgence of dropping so much coin at the old price, into giving my ego a pat on the pack for being so restrained and waiting out for a bargain…

I haven’t tried it yet, I’ll be waiting ’til there’s a bit more chill in the air. I plan to enjoy every drop of this neat…the upcoming cool September and October nights will be perfect.

My favorite whiskey and am very sad that it is no longer in production. I’m not a connoisseur by no means, but I just love the taste. I found 2 cases of the 750ml and have them to last me a while. I hope that Crown Royal will decide to bring it back. If they could get it into bars it would help sales! I never once saw it in a bar/restaurant. I did once.. In Kansas City at a very nice restaurant I did.
This is my favorite CR whiskey and am sad.

Lack of sales was not the reason to discontinue. It is a very special whisky requiring very special barrels and these are in short supply. They decided to discontinue rather than disappointing loyal Crown lovers year after year.

I have a 375 ml bottle of the cask16 unopened and great condition. I have had the bottle sitting on the top shelf in basement for a year and half. Now since it’s no longer in production I have seen prices upwards of $500 on ebay. I don’t drink liquor but 2-3 times a year and would be willing to sell if anyone is interested please email me at baileyn573@gmail.com

I live in North Carolina. Are you still selling Cask 16?
Will you sell through Paypal? What would my final total price including shipping and insurance.
Please respond via email togenkuzminski@roadrunner.com
Thanks, Gene

Wondering if anyone still has and can sell a bottle with box and bag hopefully of cask no 16. In Ontario or more specific around kingston and surrounding area. Or otherwise if it can be shipped from further away.

I have 2 bottles of Cask # 16 for sale. 1 is factory sealed in the box in brand new condition and the other has been opened but comes with the box, bag, and the bottle is factory sealed. chrisgibbs73@yahoo.com if you are interested

I see that this little slice of heaven is still in demand. I have one 750ml bottle of Cask 16 still sealed in the black box. Might be willing to part with it and would ship to the states. If your interested please email, corey.bazylewski@yahoo.com.

I have three 375ml bottles of cask 16 two are still in the box the other was part of a gift set but has the bag.
make me an offer adakirky@bresnan.net
I also have 5 boxes of xr red
and one bottle of A H Hirsch 16 year reserve
lots of other stuff

We have one remaining new sealed 750ml bottle of Crown Royal Cask 16 w/bag and canister. Available for local pickup in Las Vegas or will ship. Cash & Carry or Paypal, Ebay etc. are all fine, we will work with you.

I own 6 bottles of Crown Royal Cask 16, found at my local liquor store by my work 10 minutes away CRAZY!!. I’m from Canada and have them on EBay right now. Unfortunately I can only ship within Canada unless anyone from the States is willing to make a trip up here.

Looking to buy and rare bottles of crown Royal like cask16,crown xr red, crown 15 years, crown 10 years, crown royal special reserve , crown royal special edition , anything old and rare contact me cc1437@att.net

i have a bottle 750 ml of the no 16 special looking to get 400 plus shipping can show via facetime and have mailed out right away not a drinker should go to someone who does can be reached at 604 845 9180 etransfer only no time wasters

To Jason look my man no need to try and burn anyone it’s not my fault you are broke and can’t afford anything for sale. Now I tried to work with you on a deal and for one you had no money to buy anything tried trading and upon wanted money up front before I send you bottles. I have lots of references and people of have spent thousands with me. I even said for you to use PayPal as it’s safe for both of us and than you replied no money so than I offices a trade and u want money up front when I also told you several times that it was simple don’t trade I was only trying to help you. So to the people with money and are serious and ready to buy or trade feel free to reach me.

I was told that there was only one distillery that made the cask 16, and that it burned down. they attempted to make it at another distillery but it wasn’t the same so they discontinued it. Has anyone else heard this if so please confirm for me

This is not true. Cask No. 16 was made at the Gimli distillery. Gimli is still in operation and has expanded since the Cask 16 days.

Crown Royal was first made at the Waterloo distillery but this distillery was very old and run down and eventually was taken out of production. After it was closed this old, unused plant did catch fire and some pars of it were destroyed. However, this is entirely unrelated to Cask No 16 as it was never made there.

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